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Thursday, January 30, 2014

Salvation Town, the solo debut by Jonny Two Bags, guitarist for the Southern California punk rock institution Social Distortion, is due April 1 via Isotone/Thirty Tigers Records.

It was produced by David Kalish, noted for his long association with Rickie Lee Jones. Jackson Browne shares vocals with Wickersham on “Then You Stand Alone,” while David Lindley, whose guitar work graced several of Browne’s classic ’70s albums, contributes to four tracks.

Los Lobos’ multi-instrumentalist David Hidalgo and his sons David Jr. and Vincent join in on “Wayward Cain” and super-sideman Greg Leisz (Lucinda Williams, Eric Clapton, k.d. lang, Dave Alvin) also appears on guitar.

The drum chair is filled by Pete Thomas, a mainstay of Elvis Costello’s bands The Attractions and The Imposters. Guest vocalist Gaby Moreno (recent Latin Grammy Award winner as Best New Artist) sings on “Avenues."

Other vocal guests include Julie Miller (wife and collaborator of Buddy Miller) and backup singers Terry Evans and Arnold McCuller, best known for their work with Ry Cooder and James Taylor.

The roots-based sound of Salvation Town carves out new stylistic terrain for Wickersham, who joined Social Distortion in 2000 after the untimely death of his friend Dennis Danell.

A product of Southern California, Jonny Two Bags had already put together a formidable punk rock résumé before joining Social Distortion. He co-founded the Orange County band Cadillac Tramps, cutting three albums with the group, and subsequently recorded and toured with L.A. punk unit Youth Brigade as well as pro skateboarder Duane Peters’ hard-edged U.S. Bombs.

Wickersham, who co-wrote several songs with Ness for Social Distortion’s albums Sex, Love and Rock ’n’ Roll (2004) and Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes (2011), was also penning songs of his own during that time.

He says, “I’ve always been a sideman, so I usually write songs with the hope that the singer will like what I’ve written, take it, tweak it and maybe add some verses of his own.”Producer Kalish had been urging Wickersham to make his own record for years. Finally, after tempting him with the opportunity to record with Pete Thomas, one of his favorite drummers, Wickersham could no longer resist and work on Salvation Town began.

Over the next two years Kalish helped iron out some new tunes and put the finishing touches on pre-existing tunes like “Then You Stand Alone” and “Forlorn Walls” in between Wickersham’s stints recording and touring with Social Distortion.

The material reflects a multiplicity of musical styles and influences. Wickersham’s father, a professional musician who played folk, rock ’n’ roll, and country-rock, instilled in him a love of Southern California musicians like Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon and Linda Ronstadt. Wickersham’s own taste in contemporary performers runs the gamut from Lucinda Williams and Ryan Adams to Calexico.

Wickersham adds, “As a second- or third-generation punk guy from Orange County, the kings of the music world for me were The Blasters, Los Lobos and X. That school of musicians was as real as it could ever get. I connected with that really early on. That’s how I discovered music — basically, through those artists, the L.A. rockabilly scene, the L.A. roots-punk scene. They schooled me when I was still a little punk rocker on a skateboard."

He was set on making an honest-sounding album without resorting to an overly manicured studio sound: “I was used to making raggedy-sounding music and I wanted to stay true to that without making a punk rock record. It was important to me to record something that doesn’t sound over-produced and still has some spirit."

The combination of Wickersham’s roots-music orientation and his dark, hyper-realistic compositions made for a stylistic shift that even the musician himself didn’t anticipate. “The finished product is not necessarily what I set out to do,” he says. ”It’s not a guitar record, and that’s something that I wouldn’t have expected.”

For many, the greatest revelation of Salvation Town will be Wickersham’s accomplished, fully-realized songwriting, which grew out of his tumultuous youth in the L.A. and Orange County music scenes. Writing and recording this album of streetwise and sometimes painfully frank songs about a life lived with “one foot in the gutter and one foot kicking in the door to Heaven” proved to be somewhat of a cathartic experience.

He notes, “As I was making this record, I realized that in some of these songs I’m singing about things that happened a lifetime ago for me and that was challenging. I just accepted the fact that I needed to purge myself on this record. I wrote about things that happened when I was growing up, feelings and experiences that I have had … stuff that I have never been that open about. Even though my life is different now all of those experiences are still hanging there, just below the surface. I guess it never really goes away … those that have lived it know.”

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Warner Bros. Records shines a spotlight on Rod Stewart's legacy on stage with a four-disc collection. It spans more than 20
years, with 58 unreleased live recordings that include his biggest hits
along with some covers.

Live 1976-1998: Tonight's The Night
will be available on March 18; a digital version will be released the same day.

Arranged
chronologically, the opening disc is comprised of performances recorded
in a variety of venues across England in 1976. Many of the songs are
from Stewart's then-current album, the double-platinum A Night on the Town
, including the smash, "Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright),"
which was a #1 hit in the U.S. for eight weeks. Other memorable
performances include "You Wear It Well," "Maggie May" and "(I Know) I'm
Losing You" from the #1 album, Every Picture Tells a Story.

The
second disc includes two songs recorded in 1976 - "Sailing" and "Stay
With Me," a song Stewart originally recorded with the Faces - but the
majority of the music comes from a 1979 concert at the Forum in Los
Angeles.

Performances include "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To
Be Right" from the triple-platinum Foot Loose and Fancy Free, and the title track from Stewart's #1 album, Blondes Have More Fun. Also featured are several songs from Foolish Behavior
recorded in 1980 at Wembley Stadium, as well as Stewart's raucous duet with Tina Turner on "Hot Legs," from a 1981 show in LA.

The
third disc spans 1984-89 and features a selection of strong
performances from two concerts. One was recorded in 1984 in San Diego
and includes "Some Guys Have All The Luck" and "You're In My Heart
(Final Acclaim)." The second concert was recorded in 1989 at the
Meadowlands, on the tail end of his tour in support of Stewart's double
platinum album Out Of Order. Those songs include "Forever Young,"
"Infatuation," "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and "I Ain't Superstitious," a
song he originally recorded in 1968 with the Jeff Beck Group.

On the final disc are recordings made between 1991-98, beginning
with a 1991 show at Wembley Stadium where Stewart mixed "Downtown Train"
and "Baby Jane" with classics like "Mandolin Wind."

Stewart was riding a
massive wave of success from the Unplugged...and Seated album in
1993 when he performed at the Greek Theatre in LA. Several songs taken
from that show touch on Stewart's early years, like "Handbags And
Gladrags" from his solo debut An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down (1969), "Cut Across Shorty" from Gasoline Alley (1970) and "(Find A) Reason To Believe" from Every Picture Tells A Story (1971).

The final disc closes with covers of Oasis' "Cigarettes And Alcohol" and Primal Scream's "Rocks" recorded in London in 1998.Those
are just two of the many covers featured on the box set, a
showcase for Stewart's unparalleled skill at interpreting other artists'
music. Among the highlights are: Bruce Springsteen's "Hungry Heart,"
the Beatles' "Get Back," Jimi Hendrix's "Angel," Van Morrison's "Have I
Told You Lately," B.B. King's "Rock Me Baby," the blues standard "Baby
Please Don't Go" and several songs by Sam Cooke, who had an enormous
influence.

Stewart's love of performing still prevails - this
year, fans around the world will have an opportunity to see him live in
concert when he brings his "Live the Life" tour to South
America this February and continuing at stadiums throughout Europe this
summer. This April, he'll also make his much-anticipated return to his
residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Visit
RodStewart.com for more details.

For a musician, walking through the massive Anaheim Convention Center halls during NAMM is like being a kid in a candy store. There are so many instruments, so much gear and so much going on (artist signings, demos, performances) that it takes at least a couple days to absorb it all. You never know what you'll find going on around the corner. Here are some items that immediately caught my attention at NAMM 2014 last week...

Martin Guitars' sharp new Eric Clapton signature edition model (OM-ECHF Navy Blues), the third in a series of collaborations between the guitar maker, rock 'n' roll hall of famer and Hiroshi Fujiwara.Previous ECHF models included the "Bellezza Nera" (Black Beauty) and "Bellezza Bianca" (White Beauty) with a 24.9" scale length. This OM edition incorporates a longer 25.4" scale for added string tension and tonal projection.The neck and body are lacquered and polished with a striking dark navy coloration combined with atop East Indian rosewood back and sides and a European spruce soundboard.Each OM-ECHF Navy Blues guitar bears an interior label, individually numbered and personally signed by Eric Clapton, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Dick Boak and C. F. Martin IV. Quantities will be limited to 181 guitars. (MSRP: $6,999)

Online: www.martinguitar.com

Early Friday afternoon, I decided to check out the wares in Hall E on the lower level and stumbled upon the Mahalo Ukelele booth. It drew a sizable crowd, thanks to a pair of hula dancers and a guy playing/singing songs like Harry Belafonte's "Day-O."

The China-based company started in the early 2000s and sells electric and acoustic ukes, plus lap steel models. Designs range from custom, mahogany and colored to flags, art, rock and my favorite - surf, which - you guessed it - is shaped like a surfboard. Even better - the prices are reasonable.

Online: www.mahalo-ukelele.com

Located directly across from Mahalo was Matsikas S.A. Musical Instruments, whose headquarters is in Athens, Greece. It has specialized in the production of Hellenic traditional musical instruments since 1979.

Taking the prize for the most bizarre instrument I saw during NAMM '14 was the drum set (above) by Tampa-based Crush Drums and Percussion that was encased in a vine-type apparatus display dubbed "The Tree of Life." Several adults and teenagers clamored atop a pedestal to take their picture with the kit.

Online: www.crushdrum.com

Over at the Ogre booth, the Korean company's Thunderclap distortion and Tubeholic overdrive effects pedals with gargoyle covers, in addition to this guitar below, were very interesting.

Online: www.orgre.kr

Heading upstairs to the large Peavey Electronics room and performance area, I was fascinated by the novelty designed guitars based on TV's "The Simpsons," "The Walking Dead," the film "Star Wars," various comic superheroes and more. Not just for kids learning how to play, these instruments easily appeal to fanboy adult musicians too.

Based in Mississippi, Peavey is one of the top instrument and amplifier manufacturers in America, was founded in 1965 and boasts more than 2,000 products.

Online: www.peavey.com

On the main floor of the convention center, there was also an enclosed display featuring the "The Walking Dead" guitars...

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

For many music industry professionals, the winter NAMM Show’s return
to Anaheim Convention Center this past week was the year’s top priority. While walking through the large trade show floors, it was common to
hear people say their schedules were arranged around the annual trip to
O.C. or how much they couldn’t wait to come back.

International retailers touted their regular products and lateste
innovations. New and established musicians used it to discover, network
and promote tools that help them fulfill their creative ambitions.

Brian Transeau is a key example of the latter. The American
electronic dance artist known as BT (shown below) spent more than a decade refining
Break Tweaker with help from Massachusetts company iZotope. During a demo of the drum synthesizer and beat machine product
Thursday afternoon, he showed how to stretch and subdivide music notes
in different meters as onlookers gasped.

“There are so many firsts,” BT excitably stated to the assembled
throng. “It breaks the usual paradigm … I’m scared to see what dubstep
producers will do with this.”

Leland Sklar, on the other hand, mainly utilizes NAMM to see old
friends and connect with European and Japanese vendors he usually only
communicates with via email.

“For me, it’s mainly about the social experience than hunting down
new gear. There’s not much new stuff I need at this point,” admitted the
veteran bassist, whose extensive studio session credits since the '70s
includes work for Phil Collins, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt and Warren
Zevon. “To me, everything here is like reinventing the wheel.”

“A few years ago, it was depressing with the state of the economy,”
he added. “I really feel the energy of the music business now.”

Singer Will Champlin, 30, third-place finalist on the recently completed season of NBC’s The Voice,
said he’s been going to NAMM for half his life: “I like seeing the new
products and software for making cool new sounds.” Champlin was
specifically hunting for a good wireless pack, in-ear monitors,
headphones and microphones.

photo by George A. Paul

Fellow music competition show finalist Elise Testone (from 2012’s American Idol, pictured left)
attended her inaugural NAMM and played at the Westone Audio booth.

Passionate, bluesy songs like “Can’t Get Enough” and “Still We Try” rose
above the noisy din on the convention center's floor and served as a
preview of her debut album, In This Life, due next month.

“I think it’s important to be aware of what the music community has
to offer. We’re all on the same level,” Testone said. She felt the
show’s major benefit for musicians was to “get up to date on all the
latest equipment.”

Nashville pop/rock artist and NAMM newbie Ben Rector felt it was
“great to see what’s new out there and reconnect with the companies you
enjoy.”

Obviously another big part of the trade show is the live
performances. Dozens of acts played on five stages located in or around
the hall and adjoining hotels, plus vendor booths.

photo courtesy of NAMM

Saturday night, Hall of Famer Robby Krieger (pictured) headlined the large
outdoor GoPro Stage on the Grand Plaza. The former Doors guitarist and
his five-piece band Jam Kitchen included two sax men who cooked up a
heady musical brew despite a muddy sound mix.

Opening
the 90-minute set with some trippy instrumental jazz-rock excursions,
Krieger’s fingerstyle fretwork remains dexterous as ever after nearly 50
years.

“Here’s one you might remember,” he said, before a
hypnotic instrumental take on the Doors’ “You’re Lost, Little Girl.”

The
crowd howled in recognition at the classic rumbling riff of “Love Me
Two Times,” where Krieger handled lead vocals. The added sax strains
were seamless and the players were clearly having fun.

An enthralling
“Riders on the Storm” found Brock in fine, brooding, Jim Morrison-esque
form, and Molitz smiled broadly during his interplay with Krieger.

“Light My Fire” (featured twice on the highly recommended new
Doors DVD compilation, R-Evolution) whipped the crowd into a frenzy as each musician got a chance to shine.

The guitar vet even incorporated a snatch of the Sound of Music
standard “My Favorite Things.” Finally, Brock leaned over the crowd
amid fiery closer “Roadhouse Blues” and people sang along loudly to the
refrain.

photo by George A. Paul

Earlier
Saturday, Joseph Arthur played a freewheeling set on the GoPro stage
before a sparse, indifferent lunchtime crowd.

Released
in two parts last year, the loosely structured concept album features
appearances from Fistful of Mercy bandmate Ben Harper, Band keyboardist
Garth Hudson, drummer Jim Keltner and others. It was released in the
U.K. via Real World, the label belonging to one of Arthur's earliest
benefactors, Peter Gabriel.

Accompanied by bassist Jonny Polonsky
and a drummer, Arthur apparently dropped an F-bomb onstage and
threatened to have his time cut short. Laconic, World Party-esque vocals
were often paired with wicked electric guitar solos. “I’m sharing this
with you in a therapeutic way,” he said. Highlights included “I Used to
Know How to Walk on Water” and the rapid-fire wordplay on the intense
addiction tune “I Miss the Zoo” (based on a poem).

Before
the concert started, Everclear’s Art Alexakis explained how he wrote,
recorded and mixed a new pop/soul song called “Free,” with students at
Los Angeles Music Academy's College of Music (where Alexakis serves as
songwriting chair), then shot a music video, all in half a day. Then it
was shown on a screen.

“You get back as well as you give ...
tenacity is how you win in this life,” he said and proceeded to deliver a
solo acoustic version of the Everclear hit “Santa Monica.” Too bad more
Alexakis music didn’t follow.

Despite a ton of energy, Sheila E.
and her seven-piece band turned in an erratic performance, rife with
medleys. They began with several tracks from Icon, her first
studio release since 2001 (due in April) and boasting appearances by
frequent collaborator Prince and MC Lyte. But new Latin jazz, funk and
R&B jams like “Nasty Thang,” “Lovely Day” and “I’ll Give You That”
came off flat.

photo by Bob Steshetz

The large crowd ate it up, however, and Sheila’s
rhythmic delivery on various drum sets and congas were still a wonder to
behold.

Following an anecdote about growing up in the musical Escovedo
family, she turned in a satisfactory version of “Koo Koo,” her minor
1987 R&B hit.

An ill-advised snippet of the Purple One’s “Erotic
City” was followed by bigger E. tunes from the '80s, the fun and punchy
“Belle of St. Mark” and groove-laden “A Love Bizarre,” which
unfortunately fizzled out.

Taylor
Guitars can always be counted on at NAMM to present a solid crop of
promising young talent, plus a couple big names thrown in for good
measure. This year was no exception.

photo by Bob Steshetz

Upstairs in the convention center late Thursday, the San Diego
company’s spacious room hosted Johnnyswim, a Nashville-based Americana
duo whose 40-minute performance was often akin to the Civil Wars.

Acoustic
guitarist Abner Ramirez had a burnished, Ben Harper singing style during
the delicate ballad “Annie” and the partially Spanish-sung “Adelina”
(both from last year's Heart Beats EP). Meanwhile, Amanda Sudano
belted out her vocal lines with finesse, especially on the title track
and “Diamonds.” They boasted a comfortable rapport together. Looking forward to hearing the debut album in April.

Definitely
one to watch.

photo by Bob Steshetz

Good Old War provided warm, inviting harmonies Friday with their
Guster-meets-CSN tunes. The unassuming Philly indie folk trio let their
music do all the talking. “Better Weather,” a pleasant “Loud Love” and
“That’s Some Dream” fared best.

“Hello, I’m John Mayer,” joked the boyish Ben Rector, 27, at the
start of a short, memorable Taylor Room appearance on Saturday.

Then the
Oklahoma native poked fun at his own attire. Indeed, a self-deprecating
sense of humor and adult-geared, heart-on-sleeve pop/rock songs are
traits that Mayer - not to mention Matt Nathanson and Eric Hutchinson –
all share with Rector. The difference? This guy adds some inspirational
sentiments to the mix.

photo by George A. Paul

A 2006 John Lennon Songwriting Contest winner, the singer/guitarist
has toured with Needtobreathe, regularly places in the upper reaches of
various iTunes charts and gets his music placed in TV dramas.

Rector’s
inspiring fifth album, The Walking in Between, reached the Billboard Top 200 tally and was tailor-made for coffee houses.

During the appealing “Easy Loving You,” Rector adeptly made up a
third verse from an audience poll suggestion; the emotional “Sailboat”
and dramatic “When a Heart Breaks” soared with vigor. I missed his last
House of Blues Anaheim gig. Hope he returns again soon.

Jason Mraz last played Taylor at NAMM four years ago. His return drew
a capacity crowd that spilled outside the doors. Company head Bob
Taylor gave a heartfelt introduction about master builder Andy Powers
and fellow San Diego resident Mraz.

Accompanied by female folk-rock band Raining Jane (which added cello
and mandolin strains on different songs), the amiable Grammy winner
opened with a haunting revamp of his Top 10 single “I’m Yours.”

Then he
offered a preview of several promising numbers from upcoming album Yes; the sumptuous “Long Drive” sounds like a real gem.

After reminiscing about his early days in San Diego, Mraz and the
ladies performed the quietly elegant ballad “A Beautiful Mess” with some
supple harmonies, and his sustained vocal note drew loud applause.

Finally, the smooth “Lucky” segued into Spandau Ballet’s “True” and
ended the Taylor NAMM series on a high.

For even more in-depth coverage of NAMM 2014, head to: youtube.com/user/musicworthbuying androckwrite.blogspot.com

Eels are set to release The Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everetton April 22.

The new 13 track album from singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Everett (aka E) marks his 11th full-length release for Eels, whose debut Beautiful Freak was released in 1996.

Everett has also embarked on a number of non-musical projects, including his acclaimed book Things the Grandchildren Should Know and the multiple-award winning Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives documentary film about Everett and his quantum physicist father, Hugh Everett III, broadcast on PBS’ Nova series.

Watch the album trailer for The Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everett here:

ATO Records will release Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One on March 25. It covers the period starting with 1980's Saved and ends with 1990's Under The Red Sky (including unreleased material -- the "80s Basement Tapes" -- and The Traveling Wilburys).

Album contributors include Built To Spill, Glen Hansard, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Langhorne Slim, Craig Finn of The Hold Steady, Deer Tick, Blitzen Trapper, Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket and more. First track "Jokerman" by Built to Spill, is available now.

In the liner notes, New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Lethem (Motherless Brooklyn, Fortress of Solitude) writes, "In the famously difficult art of going up against Dylan's performance of his own material, a number of these reach the highest threshold. I hope Bob Dylan listens to this record, and plays it for his current touring band."

When you ask someone to name a Bob Dylan song or album from the 1980s, you usually get a blank stare in return. Bob Dylan In The 80s: Volume One helps to answer this question.

"80s Dylan is by no means a celebrated period in his career," says co-producer Lauter. "It was, in fact, the lowest point of his commercial success even though he released eight studio albums."

He continues, "Our goal was to showcase one of the greatest artists of our time during an off-rhythm period and bring a stronger sense of harmony to the material at hand. Sean and I did everything we could to make this album flow together sonically as if you were listening to a concept album."

Again, Lethem claims, "Given the benefit of decades more hindsight, our Dylan was a lot better than anyone knew...Were one to begin compiling instances of greatness in the type of songwriting that defines our esteem for the earlier Dylan - complex, suggestive, glinting, cascading constructions - you'd hit a dozen examples even before the "comeback" of Oh Mercy."

Portions of proceeds from album sales will go to the charity, Pencils of Promise, a non-profit organization that builds schools and increases educational opportunities in the developing world. The charity has built more than 150 schools in Asia, Africa and Latin America. For more information, visit pencilsofpromise.org.

Culture Club singer and DJ Boy George's new album This Is What I Do, his first full-length studio effort in 18 years, will finally see a U.S. release in March. It was written by George O'Dowd and longtime writing partners John Themis, Kevan Frost and Richie Stevens (who produced). Dave Bascombe (Tears For Fears, Depeche Mode, Doves) did mixing duties. The album features collaborations with producer Youth, as well as DJ Yoda, Kitty Durham, Ally McErlaine, MC Spee and Nizar Al Issa, many of whom will perform as George’s band on his live dates. “I wanted to make a baggy album, not overproduced and I think I have achieved it. I was listening to things like 'Beast Of Burden' by The Stones, and I had my head most definitely in the 70's... I was also writing from a happy place. This time, no ex-lovers to get revenge on. For me 'Bigger Than War' sums up the tone,” says O'Dowd.

An exclusive Deluxe Edition of the album will be released on his own imprint Very Me Records via Kobalt Label Services and will be available in all physical retail, digital download and streaming services from March 25. The U.K version is now available.

Boy George plans to take This Is What I Do and his nine-piece band on the road in North America later this year. More details to come.

Canvasback Music/Atlantic band Grouplove has announced the digital release of “I’m with You,” a short form documentary and concert film featuring the LA-based indie-pop band. “I’m With You” is available at iTunes and Amazon now.

Shot by acclaimed filmmaker Sam Erickson (Dave Matthews Band, My Morning Jacket), it is an exploration into Grouplove’s history and traces their story, combining interviews with the band members and live performance footage.

The digital video bundle will include six exclusive audio tracks recorded during the band’s sold-out “SeeSaw Tour” – which featured the band performing electric and acoustic shows - this past fall (see attached track listing).

To echo the unique format of the tour, the track list is highlighted by recordings from both The Bowery Ballroom (electric) and McKittrick Hotel (acoustic) during the band’s New York City stop. Captured during the filming of the documentary, a live video for one of featured tracks - “I’m With You” - can be viewed now at http://youtu.be/MtuCZGFxvlA.

As previously announced, Grouplove’s headlining North American tour is set to kick off on March 20 at Bogart’s in Cincinnati and continue into May (see attached itinerary).

Additionally, the cross-country trek now includes a performance at this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival – the band’s second appearance at the acclaimed event – as well as Big Guava Festival in Tampa, FL and Firefly Festival in Dover, DE.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

I highly recommend anyone who's into this music to catch a show. I interviewed Reynolds and did more coverage last year that can be found elsewhere on this blog...

Celebrating over two decades of performing together, The Mavericks will embark on the 25 Live Tour on Feb. 27.

“While the band was formed in the summer of 1989, our first show wasn’t until months later … making 2014 our twenty-fifth year together and we’re very excited to get back out on the road,” says guitarist Robert Reynolds. “In many ways, our fans have become de facto members of the group and it seems high time we throw a party!”

In spite of an indefinite divergence in 2004, The Mavericks musical connection never fizzled and last February, Cuban-American frontman Raul Malo and vivacious musicians Paul Deakin, Robert Reynolds, Eddie Perez and Jerry Dale McFadden reconnected to release a new album In Time (The Valory Music Co.).

The Grammy Award-winning group's return has sparked critical-acclaim for both their new music and exhilarating live shows. Recently, The Mavericks’ music was been featured in the movie Grudge Match and ABC TV drama “Killer Women,” in which the band also made a cameo appearance performing "Dance In The Moonlight."

Last summer, I reviewed Lauper at the Greek, which can be found on this blog. I look forward to this reissue...

Cyndi Lauper will celebrate the anniversary of her debut album with She’s So Unusual: A 30th Anniversary Celebration, released through Legacy Recordings on April 1.

The 2-CD deluxe edition will feature the original album, rare demos, live concert recording as well as remixes by some of today’s hottest DJs and producers including NERVO, Bent Collective and Yolanda Be Cool.

It will also be available as a single CD (original remastered album and 3 new remixes) as well as a 1-LP vinyl (includes an insert for download of 3 new remixes). The NERVO remix of “Time After Time” is available for immediate download with every iTunes pre-order.

In addition to rare and never-before-heard recordings, the physical deluxe edition includes an unusual surprise. The collection includes a reusable sticker set, including vinyl cut outs of Lauper’s cutting-edge outfits and accessories that can be arranged in different combinations on a 3D fold-out backdrop of the bedroom featured in her iconic “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” music video. Journalist and author Jancee Dunn, who worked with Lauper on her 2012 New York Times Best Selling autobiography, authored the detailed liner notes.

"I'm always looking forward, trying to do something that's new and different," said Lauper. "But every once in a while it's good to look back and celebrate. I've always been proud of this album, with the statement we made and, most importantly, what it has meant to my fans, I want to thank them for all the years of support," she added.

She’s So Unusual, Lauper’s debut solo album was produced by Rick Chertoff and featuring Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian of the Philadelphia band the Hooters, has some of Lauper’s most well-known songs and perennial radio favorites including “Girls Just Want To Have Fun,” “Time After Time,” “She Bop,” “Money Changes Everything,” and “All Through the Night."

With it, Lauper became the first female artist to have four top 10 singles on a debut album. The release went on to sell over 16 million copies worldwide and won Lauper a Grammy Award for Best New Artist and an MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video.

The album has influenced generations of boundary-pushing musicians since its release, evident in everything from the ska-infused punk of No Doubt, the attitude of P!nk, the infectious pop of Katy Perry, the fluorescent personality of Nicki Minaj and, of course, in Lady Gaga’s fashion.

The anniversary celebration will continue this spring with a special performance by Lauper on the public television music performance series Front and Center (formerly Front Row Center). Recorded at New York’s Highline Ballroom on Dec. 9, 2013 in front of a small audience, Lauper performed the album in its entirety and shared intimate memories about the production and her life at the time she recorded it.

On this Sunday’s Grammy Awards, she is nominated (her 15th) for Best Musical Theater Album for her work in the Broadway musical “Kinky Boots,” for which she received the Tony Award for Best Score.

“Kinky Boots,” the Broadway musical Lauper composed the music and lyrics for, opened last year to critical acclaim and went on to win six Tony Awards including Best Score for Lauper.

In 2012 she released her New York Times Best Selling autobiography, “Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir.” Written with journalist Jancee Dunn and published by Atria Books, the memoir details for the first time Lauper’s tumultuous years growing up in Queens, the ups and downs of a career that has spanned over three decades, her conflicted feelings on fame and her advocacy of equality for all that led to the creation of her foundation, the True Colors Fund.

A multi-talented artist and one of music’s most beloved icons, Lauper has racked up global record sales of over 50 million and has won countless awards, from a Grammy, an Emmy and a Tony to numerous honors for her tireless activism. Lauper has released 11 studio albums, her most recent, the Grammy nominated “Memphis Blues,” ruled the Billboard Blues chart for 14 consecutive weeks to become the best-selling Blues album of 2010. Overall, during her storied music career, Lauper has been nominated for 15 Grammy Awards, 2 American Music Awards, 7 American Video Awards and 18 MTV Awards.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

British post-punk outfit Savages have released the video for “Strife,” a song off of their highly-lauded debut album Silence Yourself, out now via Matador/Pop Noire.

The striking black and white video, inspired by a murder scene in the novel The Stranger by Albert Camus, features two men fighting on a vacant beach to a tragic end. The video is directed by Antoine Carlier, French director and co-founder of Pop Noire with Savages’ Jehnny Beth.

Foreword by Savages:

"We wanted to make a video that focused on a timeless human physicality and physical expression, a search for understanding through the movement, action and reaction of two characters. We chose the classical landscape of the empty beach. A fight ensues between two men: one older, one younger; a tragic outcome, and death."

French director Antoine Carlier - co-founder of Pop Noire records with Jehnny Beth, who previously collaborated with the band on their artwork - filmed the scene with a modern black & white aesthetic on the beaches of Gironde in South-West France. The film is a play on human instincts and desire for survival, echoing the famous beach murder scene in the novel 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus.

Either a tale from the past or science-fiction, this is an endless story of human struggle. We see the fragmentation between two generations, a subject of predilection for Savages (ref: 'I Am Here' manifesto), where the ‘young, intelligent and radical people’ live in servitude to established elders.”

>WHO SHOULD WIN: Both Muse and Gary Clark Jr. made the most memorable songs here. I'd give it to Muse.

Best Alternative Music Album
"The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More
I Love You" -- Neko Case
"Trouble Will Find Me" -- The National
"Hesitation Marks" -- Nine Inch Nails
"Lonerism" -- Tame Impala
"Modern Vampires Of The City" -- Vampire Weekend

>WHO SHOULD WIN: A lot of tough competition, but Vampire Weekend released a stunner.